Despite being popular with civilians, founder Bill Ruger hoped to expand into the law enforcement and private security markets, which were then dominated by rivals Smith & Wesson and Colt.

[5] As with all Ruger firearms, the Security-Six revolvers were robustly designed with large, heavy-duty parts for durability and to allow for the investment casting process.

Ruger's new revolvers were unlike other guns on the market in that they used a one-piece frame, rather than a removable sideplate, which lent them superior strength.

The Security-Six and its derivatives also became the standard issue service weapons of a large number of police departments, and many were exported overseas.

[3] While Ruger's Security-Six line has been out of production since 1988, a total of over 1.5 million revolvers were produced and they remain well-liked and respected, as well as highly sought after in the second-hand market due to their strength and reliability.

[3][6] In the early 1980s, Ruger commissioned a heavier duty upgrade of the Six line that could handle a "lifetime diet" of full-powered magnum loads, the GP100, which featured a beefier frame and full under-lug barrel, stronger steels, a redesigned grip frame and, most notably, a triple-locking cylinder to give extra strength to the action.

[citation needed] The Security-Six and its variants were more or less identical in basic design, with minor differences in sights (fixed or adjustable) and frame (round or square butt).

[citation needed] Another feature of the Security-Six was straightforward disassembly, which required no tools with the exception of a flathead screwdriver, coin, or cartridge case rim used to remove the grip screw.

Incorporating fixed sights and a round-butt frame, and available in .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .38 S&W (.38-200), and 9mm Luger, the Speed-Six was intended for use by plainclothes detectives and others desiring a more concealable handgun.